The Last Full Moon

The sleepy town of Ashwood was never the same during a full moon. It was as if the very presence of the lunar giant stirred something primal within the residents. They'd whisper tales of strange occurrences and unexplained events, all attributed to the Curse of the Moon.

I'd always been skeptical of the local legends, but tonight felt different. The air was electric, the sky a deep, foreboding crimson. The blood moon was rising, and with it, an unsettling sense of dread.

As I walked home from the local diner, the streets seemed to grow darker, the shadows twisting into menacing forms. I quickened my pace, my heart pounding in my chest.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the darkness. Tall, brooding, and impossibly handsome, Kaidën Blackwood was the last person I wanted to run into. We'd been sworn enemies since childhood, our families' bitter feud a staple of Ashwood's history.

"Well, well, well," Kaidën sneered, his eyes glinting with malice. "Look what we have here. Little Ember Stone, all alone and vulnerable on the night of the blood moon."

I bristled at his tone, my fists clenched at my sides. "What do you want, Kaidën?"

He took a step closer, his eyes burning with an inner intensity. "I want to make sure you're safe tonight. You're not exactly... equipped to handle what's coming."

A shiver ran down my spine as he spoke. There was something in his voice, something that hinted at secrets and mysteries beyond my understanding.

"I can take care of myself," I spat, trying to sound braver than I felt.

Kaidën raised an eyebrow. "We'll see about that."

And with that, he turned and disappeared into the night, leaving me wondering what he'd meant – and what horrors the blood moon might unleash.

As I watched Kaidën disappear into the darkness, I felt a shiver run down my spine. What did he mean by "what's coming"? And why did I get the feeling that he was hiding something from me?

I pushed the thoughts aside and quickened my pace, anxious to get home and lock the doors behind me. The blood moon was rising, and I had a bad feeling that tonight was going to be a long and terrifying night.

As I turned the corner onto my street, I noticed a figure waiting by the entrance to my apartment complex. It was my best friend, Lyra.

"Hey, Em," Lyra said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I've been waiting for you. I have some news."

"What is it?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"It's about the party tonight," Lyra said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I heard that Kaidën's family is hosting it. And I also heard that something big is going to happen tonight."

I raised an eyebrow. "What kind of big?"

Lyra leaned in closer. "I don't know, but I have a feeling it's connected to the Curse of the Moon. Em, I think we should be careful tonight."

I nodded in agreement. "You're right. Let's just stay inside and-"

But before I could finish, a loud howl pierced the night air, making us both jump.

"What was that?" Lyra whispered, her eyes wide with fear.

I swallowed hard. "I don't know, but I think it's just the beginning."

And with that, the lights in the complex began to flicker, and the air grew colder. I knew then that tonight was going to be a night to remember.

As the lights continued to flicker, Lyra grabbed my arm, her eyes wide with fear. "Em, what's happening?"